Anaheim Ducks’ training camp opening this weekend

There aren’t a lot of things worth getting up at the crack of dawn on a Saturday for, but…smell that? That’s the smell of hockey ice. Â And what’s in your hand? Free Anaheim Ducks stuff. The Anaheim Ducks training camp opens this weekend, beginning with the first on-ice practice at 9:15am on Saturday. Afterward the players will practice in a scrimmage, beginning at 10:30am. Â Sunday and Monday the schedule is the same: the day opens with the 915am practice, followed by the 1030 am scrimmage. Â The players will be divided up into two groups, and will occupy both available rinks. Â Fans can get closer to the players than usual, and watch the new lineup work out together before the pre-season gets underway September 21st.

Training camp for the Anaheim Ducks is located at Anaheim Ice, the official home of Ducks practice. Â Anaheim Ice features an NHL sized rink, as well as an Olympics-sized rink. Both rinks will be open and in use during training camp. Some seating is available, as well as room to stand at the glass. After the players have finished the scrimmage, fans can take to the ice for a Ducks-themed public skate. You’ll also have a chance to win signed merchandise in the raffles on both Saturday and Sunday.

Normally, parking at Anaheim Ice is not an issue, even during NCAA hockey games or the popular public skates, with the two large parking structures located adjacent to Anaheim Ice, but it’s a good idea to arrive to the Anaheim Ducks training camp much earlier than the 915am start time.

The Ducks street team, the kids’ club Wild Wingers, and the Power Players will be giving away free Ducks merchandise, and the training camp is extremely popular every year, so get up while it’s still dark and plan to arrive at least an hour to an hour and a half early, to ensure good parking and a chance to see the players up close. Â Make sure to get your ticket validated at the counter to the left of the entrance.

As for the training camp attendees, there aren’t any real surprises for fans in store. Â Joffrey Lupul is listed on the training camp roster, but as injured, and is still likely to be unavailable until at least October. Â Teemu Selanne and Saku Koivu are back of course, and joined by the veterans Todd Marchant and Jason Blake, who was acquired from Toronto over the summer. Â The goaltenders aren’t listed on the official training camp roster, but fans can speculate whether Curtis McElhinney will be getting more ice time this year. Â Last year he showed some promise, but struggled in shootout situations. Â Jonas Hiller is still listed as the team’s main goaltender. Â And although Bobby Ryan still hasn’t worked out a contract, he is listed on the roster. Â Meanwhile, the clock is ticking and all anybody has to go on are rumors, since the official website isn’t talking about it.

Notably absent from the training camp roster so far is a Captain. Â Ryan Getzlaf and Saku Koivu are both listed as Alternates.